Brazil’s Northeast is one of the country’s most culturally rich regions, the result of a mixture of indigenous, African and European influences. This diversity is reflected in the religion, architecture, cuisine, music, dance and handicrafts of the nine states that make up the region.
Religion is strong and syncretic. In Bahia, Candomblé has a strong presence, while Maranhão stands out for its Tambor de Mina. Religious festivals, pilgrimages and popular Catholicism are common throughout the Northeast, mixing faith and tradition.
The historical heritage is preserved in centres such as Pelourinho (BA), Olinda (PE) and São Luís (MA), which have been recognised by UNESCO. Baroque churches, adobe houses and colonial buildings tell the story of the region from Brazil’s earliest days.
The cuisine of the Northeast reflects its cultural diversity. Acarajé, vatapá, moqueca, baião de dois, bolo de rolo, arroz de cuxá and buchada de bode are typical dishes that combine local ingredients with Afro-Indian and European traditions.
The Northeast is home to rhythms such as forró, frevo, maracatu, axé, samba de roda and bumba-meu-boi. Music and dance are strong expressions of northeastern cultural identity and resistance.
Each state has its own speciality: lace and embroidery (CE), caruaru clay (PE), buriti (MA), wood and ceramics (BA) and sand bottles (RN). Handicrafts reveal the talents and stories of the people of the Northeast.
A symbol of resistance, faith and creativity, the Northeast is essential to understanding the cultural and historical formation of Brazil.
Discover the Sanctuary of Monte Santo in Bahia, a place of religious pilgrimage and tourism for centuries, set in the breathtaking landscape of the Serra do Piquaraçá. The architectural complex of the city of Monte Santo in Bahia is of great scenic and symbolic beauty, combining natural and cultural heritage, […]
European architecture has several architectural styles that have changed slowly over the centuries. Unlike other styles, such as fashion or furniture design, architectural styles change much more slowly over the centuries. However, the architectural style of a building can also tell us about the period in which it was built. […]
The culture of Northeastern Brazil is quite diverse, having been influenced by indigenous peoples, Africans and Europeans. Customs and traditions often vary from state to state. Being the first region actually colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century, who met the native populations and were accompanied by Africans brought […]
Northeastern music includes rhythms such as coco, xaxado, martelo agalopado, samba de roda, baião, xote, forró, axé and frevo, among others. The Armorial Movement of Recife, inspired by Ariano Suassuna, has carried out an erudite work to valorise this popular rhythmic heritage of the Northeast (one of its best known […]
From the arrival of the Portuguese colonisers in 1500 to Brazil’s independence, many important events marked the history of Brazil. These historical events were recorded in the works of painters such as Oscar Pereira da Silva, Victor Meirelles, Jean-Baptiste Debret, Manuel José de Araújo and Pedro Américo. Main historical events […]
A primeira missa no Brasil, realizada em 26 de abril de 1500, apenas quatro dias depois do desembarque dos portugueses em Porto Seguro, foi retratada por Victor Meirelles entre 1859 e 1861, enquanto o artista vivia em Paris. A pintura foi inspirada na carta escrita por Pero Vaz de Caminha […]
Jean-Baptiste Debret (1768-1848) was a renowned French, painter, draughtsman and lithographer, known for his significant contribution to the art and historical documentation of Brazil in the 19th century. A graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris and a student of Jacques-Louis David, he was initially known for his […]
Baroque architecture is an important part of Western history and has unique characteristics that marked the urbanisation of Europe and are even present in Brazil. The first signs of Baroque architecture can be found in works from the early 16th century, but it was not until the end of this […]
When the Portuguese colonisers arrived in the south of Bahia in 1500, the Brazilian coastal lands were occupied by Tupi Guarani Indians. On the coast of Bahia, two large groups of the Tupi nation predominated: tupiniquins and tupinambás. The first group, the Tupiniquins, inhabited the strip from Camamu to Espírito […]
Popular art from the Northeast of Brazil reflects the vastness of its territory and the diversity of its culture, and some types of work can be found, with slight variations, in all the states. While relying on tradition, popular art of the Northeast discovers new languages, techniques and materials: the […]
Lampião, the emblematic figure of the cangaço, is often portrayed as a visionary, fearless and cunning warrior, but this heroic image has been increasingly questioned by contemporary historians. Virgulino Ferreira da Silva, the man behind the myth, not only orchestrated robberies and kidnappings, but also cultivated a scenario of extreme […]
Graciliano Ramos made a mark on Brazilian literature with his works depicting the life of Northeastern men in the sertão. The writer was part of the 2nd phase of modernism, which had regionalism as its main characteristic. Raquel de Queiroz, Jorge Amado and José Lins do Rego were some of […]
The subsoil of the northeastern hinterland holds many treasures. Among them are emeralds, taken from mines that are up to 150 metres deep. There are also natural caves, where researchers have found fossils of prehistoric animals and traces of Brazil’s ancient inhabitants. The underground labyrinths of the sertões stretch for […]
The representation of Brazil through European eyes in the 17th century From the 16th century, conquerors began to interpret South America not only through words, but also through images. This process of visual representation gained momentum with the Dutch invasion of northeastern Brazil between 1630 and 1654, when European artists […]
The art of tiling would take root in the Iberian Peninsula under the influence of the Arabs, who brought the unknown mosaics to their conquered lands to decorate the walls of their palaces, making them shine and shine with a complex play of geometries. The style fascinated the Spaniards and […]
The Franciscan presence in Brazil can be traced back to the Discovery, when Friar Henry of Coimbra, a member of the Cabral’s Expedition, celebrated the First Mass on 22 April 1500, shortly after arriving at the bay of Port Seguro, in the south of what is now the state of […]
The colours of the facades of the houses and buildings preserve the identity of the colonial architecture of the Northeast. Many houses, buildings, and especially churches, convents, squares and streets, date from the time when Brazil was mainly colonised by the Portuguese. In addition, various other peoples, such as the […]
Rei Momo, Pierrô, Arlequim and Colombina are the best known and most traditional Carnival characters and can be seen at parties and in marchinhas. The colourful costumes of these characters gave rise to the costumes worn at Carnival balls and are part of the joys of this popular festival. Video […]
The Carnival of Salvador is a popular celebration that combines tradition, music and innovation and is one of the biggest and liveliest in the world. Its history includes several historical influences and the creation of the Trio Elétrico, which revolutionised the festival. The following are some of the highlights: Introduction […]
The 7 Northeastern rhythms and musical styles that are a hit in Brazil. The Northeast region of Brazil is characterised by its rich cultural diversity, uniquely expressed in its rhythms and musical styles. Made up of nine states with different historical, social and geographical characteristics, this region has developed over […]
Maracatu Rural is a traditional cultural manifestation that stands out in the city of Nazaré da Mata, located in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Originating from the rural region of Pernambuco, Maracatu Rural is a variation of Maracatu, a form of popular culture and Afro-Brazilian music and dance. Unlike Maracatu […]
In the Northeast of Brazil, both cordel literature and woodcuts play an important cultural role and are deeply rooted in regional traditions. This symbiotic relationship between woodcuts and cordel literature not only embellishes the pamphlets, but also enhances the cultural and educational impact of the stories told. While cordel texts […]
The accordion, also popularly called accordion and harmonica, is an aerophone musical instrument of German origin, made up of a bellows, free reeds and two wooden harmonic boxes. The 8-bass accordion is one of the founding instruments of forró, being the instrument that marked Luiz Gonzaga’s childhood and the basis […]
Although the June Festivals are celebrated in all four corners of Brazil, in the Northeast the festivities take on great expression. The June Festivals in the Northeast of Brazil are one of the country’s most traditional and eagerly awaited celebrations, deeply rooted in the region’s popular culture. These festivities, held in honour […]
Bilro lace and embroidery are one of the most traditional forms of handicraft in the north-east of Brazil, especially in Ceará. Bobbin lace is a source of income, distraction and a link between the women who mark the history of the Northeast and Morros da Mariana. The lace is present […]
Discover the trajectory and biography of Diógenes Rebouças, a notable Bahian architect. Explore his major works and his legacy in regional architecture. Diógenes Rebouças was, undeniably, the most renowned and influential architect in Bahia between the late 1940s and early 1960s. Biography of Diogenes Rebouças Diógenes de Almeida Rebouças (Diógenes […]
For many, the turban is a symbol of black culture and beauty, but this accessory, full of meanings and functions, is also widely used by people from the East. As well as being a symbol of identity and tradition for many African cultures, the turban also has a strong presence […]
Arquitetura Nordestina has baroque buildings erected by the sugar society mark the starting point of the long and diverse path taken by Northeastern architecture over five centuries. On the balconies of the sobrados of old São Salvador there are memories of maidens from the times of the emperor,” sang Dorival […]
The Iemanjá festival in Salvador de Bahia attracts thousands of Bahians and tourists who flock to the beaches of the Rio Vermelho on 2 February every year. Iyemanjá, Yemanjá, Yemaya, Iemoja, or Yemoja, is an African orisha, whose name derives from the Yoruba expression ‘Yèyé omo ejá’ (‘Mother whose children […]
The Monte Pascoal National Park is located in the extreme south of Bahia, between the cities of Porto Seguro and Prado, and covers an area of 22,383 hectares. Its natural area offers a great variety of landscapes and unique scenic beauties, such as the Beach of Aldeia de Barra Velha, […]
Candomblé is an Afro-Brazilian religion that emerged in the 19th century, particularly in Brazil, from the mixture of African religious traditions brought by enslaved people, mainly from the region of present-day Benin and Nigeria, with elements of Catholicism and indigenous traditions. Its origins go back to the cultural resistance of […]
Salvador, Bahia, is one of the cradles of capoeira and offers many opportunities to see this martial art in its most authentic setting. The city is home to many renowned capoeira groups and historic sites where capoeira is regularly practised. The history of capoeira begins in the 16th century, when […]
Every year on 2 February, thousands of Bahians and tourists throng the beaches of Rio Vermelho in Salvador. Iyemanjá, Yemanjá, Yemaya, Iemoja “Iemanjá” or Yemoja, is an African orisha, whose name derives from the Yoruba expression “Yèyé omo ejá” (“Mother whose children are fish”), identified in the merindilogun game by […]
Umbanda, due to its origins, is a genuinely Brazilian religion. Umbanda is a Brazilian religion that emerged at the beginning of the 20th century, characterised by a mixture of elements of spiritism, Afro-Brazilian cults, indigenous traditions and Catholic influences. It seeks to promote charity, peace and harmony between human beings, […]
Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is one of the main destinations for religious tourism in Brazil, reflecting its rich historical and cultural heritage. Religious tourism in Salvador takes place in the more than 300 secular churches. It is often said in the city that there is a different church to […]
Bahia, with almost 80 per cent of its population of African descent, is the first Brazilian state to structure the ethnic tourism segment. The intention, according to Billy Arquimimo, Bahiatursa’s Ethnic Tourism coordinator, is to make the state more attractive to tourists of African descent from the United States, who […]
In Candomblé, music plays a primary role in the invocation of the orixás, acting as an intermediary between humans and the gods. Through rhythms and chants, followers establish a spiritual connection that allows the manifestation of the orixás. In Bahia de Todos os Deuses, the priestesses and devotees of Candomblé, […]
The costume of the baianas, often called baiano, reflects the influence of African culture in Brazil, together with the twist and turn of the body. The typical costume of the baiana is a set of traditional clothing and is the same as that worn in candomblé terreiros. There are costumes […]
Acarajé is much more than a simple dish of Bahian cuisine; it is a true expression of the rich Afro-Brazilian tradition. With roots that go back to Africa, this delicacy symbolises the fusion of cultures and the resistance of Afro-descendant communities over the centuries. Sold on the streets of Salvador […]
Afro-Brazilian religions, slavery brought into contact the religions of different African peoples, who ended up assimilating and exchanging similar elements of their cultures. In this way, rites of different origins overlapped and merged into a common amalgam from which the Afro-Brazilian religions emerged. Candomblé is one of the best known […]
Afro hairstyles in Salvador have deep roots that trace back to the African culture brought by enslaved peoples during the colonial period. These hairstyles are an essential part of the identity and resistance of African and Afro-descendant peoples in Bahia and Brazil as a whole. Afro Hairstyles in Salvador Afro […]
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